Churches are some of those buildings that are often under-appreciated. If you worship, you enter the building and might not think much about the effort that went into building these spaces. But so much thought goes into creating these places of worship. Illinois has some truly awesome churches. We’re looking at ten of them:
- St. Mary of the Angels (Chicago)
Alex Begin/Flickr This impressive building took many years to complete, and is built in the Romanesque style. You might recognize it because it was in the backdrop of the movie “Above the Law.” This impressive church seats 2000 people.
- Saint Joseph Catholic Church (Harvard)
Tony Alter/Flickr This church has beautiful, stained glass windows as well as beautiful mural in the front of the church. This steeple is absolutely beautiful.
- Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Springfield)
Katherine Johnson/Flickr This church was constructed in the Greek revival style. The material is Mankato stone, and the vestibule is lined with Vert Corail Clare marble.
- First Congregational Church (Ottawa)
Teemu008/Flickr This beautiful church is on the National Register of Historic Places. This church was constructed in the Gothic revival style back in the 1870s.
- First Universalist Church (Elgin)
Teemu008/Flickr The building style of this church is very unique because it was designed to look like a pocket watch case. This is because one of the Elgin National Watch Company’s shareholders was a trustee for the church.
- St. Patrick Catholic Church (Cairo)
Paul Sableman/Flickr This church was built in 1838. It has actually been built three times, due to flooding issues. This church is constructed of stone in the Gothic revival style.
- Holy Name Cathedral (Chicago)
vxla/Flickr This is one of the most famous churches in Illinois and across America. The outside is beautiful, but the inside is what is truly stunning. The suspended Resurrection Crucifix is the focal point of the interior. The bronze doors are particularly fantastic. They weigh 1200 pounds, each.
- First United Church (Oak Park)
David Wilson/Flickr Cool trivia: early members of this church included the parents of Ernest Hemingway, and was where he was christened. The rose window in front is my favorite feature. It vaguely represents the Star of David.
- St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church (Libertyville)
B Garrett/Flickr This building houses a four-year school for priestly and religious vocations. The last Serbian king, Peter II of Yugoslovia, was buried here until his remains were moved to Serbia in 2013.
- Immanuel Lutheran Church (East Dundee)
Teemu008/Flickr This church was built by German immigrants in 1886 at a cost of $25,000 (big money in that day). It sits on top of a hill overlooking the Fox River Valley.
Obviously, this article can’t cover every beautiful Illinois church. If you have a photograph of a stunning church to share, please do!
Alex Begin/Flickr
This impressive building took many years to complete, and is built in the Romanesque style. You might recognize it because it was in the backdrop of the movie “Above the Law.” This impressive church seats 2000 people.
Tony Alter/Flickr
This church has beautiful, stained glass windows as well as beautiful mural in the front of the church. This steeple is absolutely beautiful.
Katherine Johnson/Flickr
This church was constructed in the Greek revival style. The material is Mankato stone, and the vestibule is lined with Vert Corail Clare marble.
Teemu008/Flickr
This beautiful church is on the National Register of Historic Places. This church was constructed in the Gothic revival style back in the 1870s.
The building style of this church is very unique because it was designed to look like a pocket watch case. This is because one of the Elgin National Watch Company’s shareholders was a trustee for the church.
Paul Sableman/Flickr
This church was built in 1838. It has actually been built three times, due to flooding issues. This church is constructed of stone in the Gothic revival style.
vxla/Flickr
This is one of the most famous churches in Illinois and across America. The outside is beautiful, but the inside is what is truly stunning. The suspended Resurrection Crucifix is the focal point of the interior. The bronze doors are particularly fantastic. They weigh 1200 pounds, each.
David Wilson/Flickr
Cool trivia: early members of this church included the parents of Ernest Hemingway, and was where he was christened. The rose window in front is my favorite feature. It vaguely represents the Star of David.
B Garrett/Flickr
This building houses a four-year school for priestly and religious vocations. The last Serbian king, Peter II of Yugoslovia, was buried here until his remains were moved to Serbia in 2013.
This church was built by German immigrants in 1886 at a cost of $25,000 (big money in that day). It sits on top of a hill overlooking the Fox River Valley.
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